Sanitary belt

ABSTRACT

A sanitary belt having a nonelastic waistband. A &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;V&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; elastic suspension is attached to the rear of the waistband, and two separate elastic straps are attached to the band in front, thus securing the napkin at three points and minimizing pressure on the wearer.

United States Patent 1,761,222 6/ 1930 McCullough 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 128/291 A6lf 13/16 l7ll lnvemor EvaM-wflgo 2,017,499 10/1935 Hower 128/291 1441S-NormflunlllaceiTummAm- 2,092,409 9/1931 Solar 128/291 85713 2,539,338 1/1951 Spisak..... 128/291 [2 1 APPLNQ 6,438 2,928,394 3/1960 Roberts 128/289 1 Filed Feb-19,1968 3,057,354 10/1962 Robertsetal. 128/289 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS 406,158 2/1934 GreatBritain 128/291,

[54] SANITARY BELT Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Gregory J. Nelson ABSTRACT: A sanitary belt having a nonelastic waistband. l V" elastic suspension is attached to the rear of the PATENTEU JAM 2 l97l FIG 3 INVENTOR.

EVA M. WARGO BY Mm g A-rTr SANITARY BELT The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in a sanitary pad-supporting belt.

More specifically, the invention relates toa belt for securing a sanitary pad in place in a convenient and comfortable manner, relieving pressure on the symphysis pubis and the perineum.

Conventional belts for sanitary napkins are usually uncomfortable as the napkin is normally supported by pulling an end of the napkin through pull tabs suspended in front and back of the wearer from an elastic waistband. Because of the downward pull of the napkin, these conventional belts cause pressure to be applied to the sensitive symphysis pubis of the wearer. Moreover, when subject to tension, these known belts with the elastic waistband will slide down, which causes twisting and shifting of the napkin. J

In attempts to eliminate these disadvantages, it has been suggested to provide pad shields extending from the rear waistband and secured in front. Further,- it has been suggested to attach the napkin tab from various V suspensions attached to the elasticwaistband. While these combinations provide improved holders for sanitary belts, they do not allow the user as much comfort as is possible with my invention. Also, certain twisting and shifting of the pads'still occurs with'these bands.

- It would be highly advantageous to provide a simplified, comfortable sanitary belt which properly supports the pad without twisting or shifting during use.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a sanitary belt which supports and secures the napkin to reduce pull and pressureon the sensitive areas of the wearers anatomy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary belt having a nonelastic waistband which is continuous and has no rigid fasteners. v I

Another object of my invention is to provide a sanitary belt with an improved suspension.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a sanitary napkin belt that eliminates bulky knots by using compact clip fasteners to support the napkin in place.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sanitary belt that secures a sanitary napkin or dressing in a manner conforming anatomically to the perineum, minimizing pressure on this sensitive area.

My invention, although referred to as a sanitary belt, is not limited to use during menstruation by female wearers. The belt has broad application in postoperative procedures to absorbbody fluid and may be used to hold any sanitary dressing in place. For example, my belt could be worn comfortably by a male after a hemorrhoidectomy.

My invention has also been particularly beneficial in obstetrics and vaginal hysterectomies as a means of holding a dressing over sutures. My sanitary belt is particularly adaptable for use by a patient after any abdominal'surgery as a means of securing the sanitary napkin in place without irritation to the incision area. I

These and other further more specific objects and ad vantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: v

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sanitary pad holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the waistband connector;

and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the belt in use.

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a nonelastic band for encircling the wearers waist is provided with separate elastic straps in front, each elastic strap having clip fasteners on the end forsecuring the front of the pad. The rear of the napkin is attached to a clip fastener affixed to a V suspension formed by the convergence of two elastic straps depending from the rear of the waistband. The suspension allows clearance of all sensitive areas of pull. friction, and pressure. Any pull is absorbed by the nonelastic waistband.

Turning now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, reference is made to the various FIGS. wherein the sanitary belt is generally designated as 10. A nonelastic waist belt 11 encircles the wearer's waist, and the free ends are detachably joined at clasp 14 in front, preferably by pieces of interlocking pile material 12 and 13 commercially sold and identified'by the trademark Velcro. However, it will be obvi ous that any type of conventional fastener would serve equally well. This Velcro" pile is more clearly shown in FIG. 2. Reference is made to G. De Mestral US. Pat. No. 2,717,437 for a discussion of the Velcro" fastener.

The belt 11 may be any nonelastic material, but for comfort and convenience I chose to use a velvet-backed satin strip.

The napkin is supported in front by a suspension including a pair of resilient, velvet-faced, elastic straps l5 and 16, attached by stitching to waistband llpStraps l5 and 16 are secured to band 11 at a point on the band so that when worn the straps lie approximately midway between the crest of the ileum and the umbilicus. This is a particularly important feature, contributing to the comfort of the device. A pair of fastener tabs 17 and 18 are affixed to the respective ends of straps l5 and 16. These fasteners are preferably of the clip type, being corrosive proof and relatively thin so as not to be uncomfortable or bulky but providing a positive, easy means of attaching the pad.

Another pair of elastic straps 20 and 21 are secured as by stitching to the rear of belt 11, directly opposite front straps l5 and 16. These straps join at their lower end, forming a generally V-shaped suspension from the waistband. At the lower end of this suspension is a fastener 22, of the same type as 17 and 18.

In use, as seen in FIG. 3, the waistband 11 is placed around the wearer's waist and secured by pressure on the Velcro fastener sections 12 and 13 after the rear of the pad has been clipped to rear fastener 22. For convenience, the waistband l 1 could be provided with a conventional, adjustable clip, but I prefer the use of Velcro since it provides a smooth .waistband with no uncomfortable devices. In such a case, the

. pressure on the symphysis and eliminates centralized pressure on the perineum. The pull on the waistband is from the corners of the napkin and, unlike the elastic counterparts, the nonelastic band absorbs all pull. When the wearer sits or moves, the waistband remains in place and doesnt stretch out of position.

The fastener tabs are thin and easily disengaged for insertion of a fresh napkin. The Velcro fastener is also easy to use and provides a certain amount of adjustability.

The tension is distributed evenly, and the device may be used easily, conveniently and comfortably.

Various other changes and modifications in the device herein chosen for purposes of illustration in the drawings will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. To the extent that such modification and changes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, they are intended to be included in the scope hereof, which is not limited to the embodiments specifically illustrated in the drawings but only by a just and fair interpretation of the claims.

lclaim: I

, 1. A sanitary belt for supporting an absorbent pad comprismg:

a. a nonelastic waistband having closure means thereon;

. front pair of elastic straps depending from the waistband,

each strap being attached to the waistband corresponding to a position midway between the crest of the ileum and umbilicus of the wearer;

. Absorbent pad attaching means located upon each of said first pair of straps;

. a rear pair of elastic straps attached to said waistband and converging into a generally V-shaped and pad securing means provided at the convergence of said rear straps whereby the pad is secured at a rear point and the two points in front to conform anatomically to the perineum of the wearer and whereby pull is absorbed by 

1. A sanitary belt for supporting an absorbent pad comprising: a. a nonelastic waistband having closure means thereon; b. front pair of elastic straps depending from the waistband, each strap being attached to the waistband corresponding to a position midway between the crest of the ileum and umbilicus of the wearer; c. Absorbent pad attaching means located upon each of said first pair of straps; d. a rear pair of elastic straps attached to said waistband and converging into a generally V-shaped and e. pad securing means provided at the convergence of said rear straps whereby the pad is secured at a rear point and the two points in front to conform anatomically to the perineum of the wearer and whereby pull is absorbed by the nonelastic waistband.
 2. The belt of claim 1 wherein said waistband-closing means comprises a pair of tabs of the interlocking pile type, each sewn to the waistband to cooperate in closing the waistband.
 3. The belt of claim 1 wherein said pad-securing means are snap clips.
 4. The belt of claim 1 wherein the points of attachment of the rear straps to the waistband are directly opposite the points of attachment of the front straps.
 5. The belt of claim 1 wherein said absorbent pad is a sanitary napkin. 